As usual.
After his second spirit ring reached the 100,000-year milestone, the Ying Yu underwent a transformation.
Perhaps…
It could no longer be called "Ying Yu."
Its body was no longer so insignificant, nor did it reveal itself as it used to.
Now, it required one of Li Yu newly acquired abilities to be released: the "Still Waters, No Ripples" Domain.
Only then would it manifest itself within the waters.
At this moment—
That shadow in the water that astonished everyone was the transformed Ying Yu.
And just as everyone was still stunned and questioning what it was, the Ying Yu had already drawn closer and closer to the water's surface.
Then, right beneath Li Yu feet, it clearly revealed its form, allowing everyone to see its appearance for the first time.
Though it was a fish, it bore wings.
Its massive body was so large that even this huge arena could only show half its form.
"Isn't that… the little fish that only spat bubbles?!"
"How did it get so big?!"
"What kind of ability is this? Isn't that a construct made of elemental energy? How can it even grow?!"
"..."
After all, this was Heaven Dou City.
And the Ying Yu had once made an appearance at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Spirit Battle Arena.
Even though they could only see part of its body now, some of the students who had been present back then immediately recognized it.
Likewise—
If a group of students could recognize it, then more powerful individuals like Ning Fengzhi, Meng Shenji, and Prince Xue Xing, who had also witnessed the previous battle, naturally recognized it even more clearly.
They too were puzzled—what exactly was this ability?
In the end—
It was Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who stood by Ning Fengzhi's side, who voiced his guess.
"This is very likely a domain that this Miss Li Yu has comprehended!"
"The form condensed beneath the water likely manifests according to her will. Though it is indeed strong, I feel that it has not exceeded the level of a Spirit Ancestor!"
Sword Douluo shared his perception and added with a serious evaluation:
"However..."
"With the power of this domain, even an ordinary five-ring Spirit King might not be a match for Miss Li Yu!"
"I'm afraid the Skywater Academy Team is going to suffer defeat!"
Sword Douluo wasn't just speaking to Ning Fengzhi—
He was openly explaining to all the hidden observers in attendance.
And as a Level 96 Super Douluo, his words naturally carried tremendous weight.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
There were more than just one Titled Douluo present today, and most of them had come to the same conclusion.
However—
Although Prince Xue Xing and the others had confirmed that Li Yu was indeed still within the Spirit King range, they couldn't bring themselves to feel relieved.
Under normal circumstances, such news would make them happy.
But this time—
A domain!
A four-ring Spirit Elder who had already comprehended a domain, and could battle a Spirit King head-on through that domain!
Such strength and talent… only made them even more anxious!
Shrek Academy...
Might not even be able to stop her!
Meanwhile, Li Yu, standing in the arena, possessed quite a formidable spiritual power, especially after more than four months of cultivation.
Under the nourishment of "Eternity," even Sword Douluo's lightly veiled sound transmission, which was intended to be heard only by Ning Fengzhi, could not escape his ears.
Yet—
He pretended not to hear.
Sword Douluo had sensed that his power hadn't surpassed the Spirit Elder level—because Li Yu had deliberately concealed it.
With his current control over his spiritual power and the support of Eternity, suppressing his aura and strength was no difficult task.
Furthermore—
He had other means to suppress his aura besides "Eternity."
Even his "Natural Life Domain" could achieve the same effect.
Though that consumed more energy, he preferred to use the more efficient method.
And the reason he did this—
Was not to deliberately appear weak before his enemies.
But because if he were to reveal his true strength—a Level 77 Spirit Saint, and someone capable of challenging a Titled Douluo—
Who would even dare compete with him?
Even the Spirit Hall, which was secretly backing Qian Renxue, would likely flip the table.
If the outcome was predetermined, then what meaning would this whole competition still hold?
At that point—
Not only this tournament, but even the next one might be canceled altogether.
Because in five years, Li Yu would still be only around 24 years old.
Still eligible to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament.
And by that time, how terrifying would Li Yu become?
Therefore—
Right now, Li Yu was keeping a low profile.
"Such tricks!"
Shui Bing'er and her teammates didn't understand Li Yu depth. Although they found her techniques strange and unfathomable—
And although Li Yu hadn't revealed her spirit rings—
They didn't believe they had no chance of winning.
Moreover—
They still had their Martial Soul Fusion Skill!
Which team in the Heaven Dou tournament zone could they not go toe-to-toe with?
Thus—
Without hesitation, Shui Bing'er immediately prepared to perform her fusion technique with Shui Yue'er.
But then—
"Heh."
"Miss Bing'er, since I already know you have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, how could I possibly give you the chance to use it?"
"Flip."
At that moment—
Li Yu chuckled calmly and then spoke in a casual tone.
Shui Bing'er instantly sensed something was wrong and cried out "Quick!" as her hand had already reached out to grasp Shui Yue'er.
But just then—
"Woooo~"
A low and rhythmic cry rang out once more.
Immediately—
Everyone was shocked to see—
That previously still and calm surface of the water suddenly surge with waves—though it only felt like massive waves, as everyone still stood steadily on the water.
Then—
From beneath the surface, a massive shadow leapt out!
This time, it was no illusion, but a very real occurrence!
The massive shadow broke through the water's surface—though its body had shrunk to about thirty meters long.
But even that size was still colossal.
It leapt into the air, flipped, and then crashed down toward Shui Bing'er and her teammates.
Like a fish leaping over the dragon gate.
But this…
Was merely the Ying Yu doing a flip.
From the perspective of a whale in the ocean, this was no more than a casual scratch.
Yet—
It brought Shui Bing'er and the others an unbearable suffocating pressure!
The Ying Yu flipped, and fell back into the water.
And along with it—
Came its perfect mastery of water elements!
At that moment, the spirit power inside Shui Bing'er and her teammates stagnated.
Naturally, their Martial Soul Fusion Skill was interrupted.
Whoosh~
Originally, the Ying Yu was expected to crash upon them like a terrifying tsunami, perhaps even swallowing them whole within the fury of water.
But as it neared—
It turned into the purest form of water elements, simply flowing over their bodies.
It didn't cause any harm.
What it left behind—
Was merely a shadow in their hearts that could never be erased.
At that moment—
Shui Bing'er and the others finally understood what Li Yu meant when she said:
"It's a pity your academy is called Skywater Academy."
Skywater Academy—
Besides only admitting female students and requiring excellent appearance, it focused heavily on the training of water-element-based martial spirits.
Yet Li Yu control over water elements…
Was so far beyond them that they couldn't even see her back.
How could they possibly win?
Shui Bing'er clenched her fists—
Then slowly let them go, lowering her head and speaking weakly:
"We lost…"